Pull the Race Card: The Tricks and Traps of Racial Politics
Invoking race, particularly bias for or against a race, in order to achieve an end. This term dates from the late 1900s and alludes to card games, where playing a particular card can gain an advantage, trounce an opponent, or achieve a desired outcome. For example, when President George H.W. Bush nominated an African American, Clarence Thomas, to the Supreme Court, some who considered Thomas poorly qualified accused Bush of playing the race card, nominating a man unlikely to be rejected lest one be accused of racism. This term is on its way to becoming a cliché.
Synonyms and Related Terms
- Playing the Ethnic Card
- Race Baiting
- Identity Politics
- Tokenism
- Race Hustle
Antonyms
- Color-Blind Approach
- Meritocracy
- Post-Racial
Cheatsheet for Clever Comparisons
| Synonyms | Definition | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| Playing the Ethnic Card | Invoking ethnicity | “She played the ethnic card to gain sympathy for her cause.” |
| Race Baiting | Provoking racial hostility | “Accusing other ethnic groups of job-stealing is pure race-baiting.” |
| Tokenism | Symbolic inclusion | “The company’s diversity efforts were accused of being mere tokenism.” |
Quirky Quotes 🗨️
“Playing the race card, the oldest trick in the political playbook. Sadly, no joker here, just jive.” - Chuckleworthy Commentator
“Nominate a trolley, call it Thomas, play the race card, and ding ding! Supreme Justice.” - Judith Jester Jones
Proverbs and Popular Wisdom 💬
- “Don’t judge a book by its cover” - Suggests not making race-based judgments.
- “Actions speak louder than words.” - Emphasizes merit and deeds over racial labels.
Suggested Literature 📚
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Books:
- Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
- The Color Line: A History by Jill Lepore
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
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Movies:
- Twelve Angry Men (1957)
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
- Get Out (2017)
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Songs:
- “Black or White” - Michael Jackson
- “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” - James Brown
- “Fight the Power” - Public Enemy
Feel free to dazzle your friends and perplex your adversaries with your astonishing command of clichés and idioms. 🌟 Until next time, keep your words witty and your language lively!
Inspirational Farewell: “Language is the card game we all play. Choose your words wisely, for they can win hearts or shatter worlds.” - A. B. Cardsharp
